What draft prospects pass the first-round sniff test for Dolphins?

By OMAR KELLY

Sun Sentinel|

Feb 10, 2015 | 12:54 PM

I say this annually but few people pay attention because they typically don't have enough to talk about this time of season, but talking about who to draft before you see what an NFL team does in free agency makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.

The Dolphins could sign Frank Gore this offseason (fingers crossed), which would make selecting a tailback early a ridiculous proposition.

The Dolphins could let Charles Clay walk as a free agent (don't see that happening, but you NEVER KNOW), which would push tight end to the top of the team's needs list.

Miami could re-sign Jared Odrick and keep Randy Starks, which might address the defensive tackle void. Or they could let both Odrick and Starks go and start fresh, putting defensive tackle to the top of the needs list.

We simply don't know because we need to see how things play out over the next month in free agency, and who the team cuts to create cap space.

But what we do know is that Miami has three NEEDS and four WANTS heading into the spring.

The Dolphins NEED a nose tackle, an upgrade at inside linebacker over Koa Misi, another offensive guard to compete with Shelley Smith, Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas.

Miami WANTS more run after catch receivers (depends on what happens with Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson), a power back to complement Lamar Miller and Damien Williams, a cornerback to fill out that thin unit, and a free safety depending on what happens to the free agents (will Louis Delmas, Jimmy Wilson and Michael Thomas all be re-signed?).

Based on that list of needs and wants we can narrow down the suspects for the No. 14 overall pick. Six prospects have passed my sniff test.

I'm not done evaluating their film, but based on what I've seen on tape, and up close and personal (at the Senior Bowl and at Pete Bommarito's) these prospects are worthy of Miami's No. 14 pick.

Washington NT Danny Shelton - He's an athletic, and stout nose tackle who has an endless motor. But he's a little heavy (360), and doesn't consistently hold up two blockers. But if Shelton falls to the No. 14 pick he'd work well in Miami's hybrid defense. However, he'd probably need time to become a starter. His strength level at the combine will be key to where he's selected.

Texas DT Malcolm Brown - Brown isn't a nose tackle, but he's active, and forceful on the front line, which makes him pass the eyeball test. The 6-4, 320-pound Brown is a stout run defender who will add bulk and strength to an otherwise undersized front. His instincts put him ahead of Jordan Phillips, Michael Bennett and Eddie Goldman in my opinion.

Louisville WR Devante Parker - Parker, who had a sensational career at Louisville, is arguably rated the third best receiver in this draft, behind Alabama's Amari Cooper and West Virginia's Kevin White. But a fast time in the 40-yard dash could turn that order upside down. Parker is big (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), fluid, and runs a legit high 4.4, low 4.5. He tracks the ball well and catches the ball cleanly, which hints he'll be a solid rookie starter. Parker runs a nice route tree, and could deliver run after catch yards on the slant, which is what Miami needs.

UCLA ILBer Eric Kendricks - The Butkas Award winner is the top rated inside linebacker in the 2015 draft. He's also the only inside linebacker who doesn't have any glaring warts. He's instinctive, aggressive and a more explosive hitter than his 230-pound frame suggests. Most draft analyst project Kendricks as a late-first, early second-round pick. But so was C.J. Mosley, the last Butkas winner. Kendricks isn't as good as Mosley, a Pro Bowler as a rookie, but he's close.

Florida State O-lineman Cam Erving - Erving's versatility has pushed him up the draft boards, and could land him in the first round. As an offensive tackle he was decent, but as a center he was a mauler for the Seminoles. His length, aggression and quick feet could make him a sensational offensive guard. I view him as someone who can spark the run game like Zack Martin did for the Cowboys.

Georgia RB Todd Gurley - When healthy this former Georgia standout was viewed as a once in a decade talent, a back who was compared to Adrian Peterson. A torn ACL he suffered in November of 2014 is a major red flag that could land him on the PUP list for half the season. But the team that gambles on Gurley might hit a home run similar to what Buffalo did when they selected Willis McGahee back in 2003. The Dolphins have been linked to Gurley as a possible target, either in the first or second round. That could be a smoke screen meant to throw a team off Miami's scent in free agency and the draft, or to create some trade value for Miami's picks. Or it could be legit considering I'm told the best position GM Dennis Hickey evaluates is tailbacks.

More players - like Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney and Michigan State cornerback Trae Wayne - could be added to this short list in February, March, April and May. But we've got three months to figure that out.